The Government TV channel, CITV, aired last night to great fanfare.

The Premier, Government ministers and senators as well as members of the Department of Communication and the public attended the official opening of the channel and watched some of the programming that will be aired in the coming weeks.

To see the opening ceremony and clips of CITV programming go to 'Watch it on the Web at www.theroyalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Video/video.jsp?video=CITV.wmv .

Last year, Government allotted $840,000 for the station and in this year's budget set aside $690,000 and five full-time staff for the station, which is housed among the classrooms at the new Berkeley school site in Pembroke.

Last night the Premier said: "It's a historic night and this has been a huge undertaking.

"As we launch now, and move forward in the future, I hope you will come to see CITV as more than a television station controlled by the Government. I want this to be a vehicle fuelled by the people, for the people. More than anything else, you will see yourselves on this screen — Bermudians who all have different views on what Bermuda means to them.

"On this platform culture takes centre stage, not politics.

"Too often traditional media does not have the time or space to spend on all the wonderfully positive things happening in our community. We can't continue to blame them for that.

"Instead we need to do something about it."CITVwill do something about that."And the Premier noted that the creation of the station was another Throne Speech promise kept by his Government.Acting Minister of Telecommunications Derrick Burgess said the station will be regulated through the Broadcast Commission.This week, five original shows and two documentaries will be aired on CITV, which can be found on Channel 2 on CableVision and on 102 on WOW. The programming includes a current affairs show, health and family show and entertainment show. Members of the Opposition were not at the opening last night as they announced they would be boycotting it last week. The Opposition questioned why the station was at the secondary school and voiced fears Government TV could be a vehicle to freeze out the free press.They also pledged to dismantle the station if the were elected into power.For more information about CITVgo to their website www.citv.gov.bm.